Hunger and Depression Among College Students

The growing mental health crisis among college students in the United States, characterized by a rising prevalence of conditions like depression and anxiety, may be exacerbated by challenges such as financial strain and food insecurity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between mental health, specifically depression, and various factors such as food insecurity, physical health, sex, socioeconomic factors, access to and use of public services, and student characteristics. To identify the factors associated with depression among college students, with a particular focus on the role of food insecurity, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted with a sample of 419 full-time college students (response rate = 3.19%) at a public, 4-year university in Texas. The survey included the USDA's 10-item Adult Food Security Survey Module; the Short Form-12 Health Survey, version 2; and questions related to socioeconomic factors, utilization of public services, and student characteristics. Furthermore, 74.9% of the students reported symptoms consistent with clinical depression. This prevalence is notably higher than that found in recent national surveys, suggesting potential selection bias in the sample. Female sex (odds ratio = 2.431, P < .01) and very low food security (odds ratio = 6.612, P < .05) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of depression. Forty-two percent of the students with depression had not received any mental health support within the academic year. The findings highlight a concerning prevalence of depression among college students and underscore the significant role of food insecurity in mental health. The study calls for increased attention and resources to address food insecurity and mental health challenges among college students.